Indian workers jailed for unauthorised labour strike in Dubai

International

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Published: Monday, February 25, 2008, 15:31 [IST]

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Dubai, Feb 24 (UNI) A Dubai court sentenced 45 Indian workers to six months in jail each for endangering public security and damaging properties during an unlawful and unauthorised labour strike for demanding hike in salary.

The court said in its ruling which was pronounced on Thursday that the 45 accused (in three separate cases) will be deported after serving their jail terms.

The Public Prosecution gave all the accused different charges including holding an unauthorised labor strike which turned violent, endangering properties, inciting hundreds of other workers to strike against their employers (a number of Dubai-based construction companies) seeking increase in their salaries.

''I believe this is the first ruling of its kind and which sends a strong message to workers who resort to illegal methods to get their rights from their employers, '' Judge Jassem Baqer, Head of Dubai Criminal Court, told Gulf News.

Construction workers in the booming Gulf trade hub have long complained about poor working conditions.

The government has revised the labour law to include requirements that employers pay for migrant workers' travel, employment permits, medical tests and health care.